The newly announced iPhone 3G-S coupled with iPhone OS 3.0 will probably be heralded by many, like myself, as the “perfect handset.” However, just like the wave of excitement which accompanied the debut of iPhone 3G last year was dissolved by AT&T’s slow speeds, spotty coverage, and lack of adequate customer service, iPhone 3G-S is already showing symptoms of AT&T-itis.
It was apparent yesterday during the iPhone segment of Apple’s WWDC 2009 keynote. Twitter users abroad tweeted their disapproval of AT&T’s lack of MMS and tethering when many international iPhone providers will have the aforementioned services from day 1. People should realize that AT&T needs Apple way more than the opposite. The fact that Verizon is still America’s largest and highest rated network is a testament to people preferring a high quality network over a high quality handset.
iPhone 3G-S has a plethora of new features:
- Faster processor (average of twice the performance across the board)
- 7.2 Mbps HSDPA connection (iPhone 3G was half that)
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
- 3-megapixel autofocus camera with auto white balance and macro mode
- Nike+ support
- Digital compass
- Voice control for dialing and music control
- 3D graphics for enhanced visuals
- Video recording at 30 fps with editing capabilities
- …and some other features which I can’t remember off the top of my head.
I think if Verizon manages to stay on track with its deployment of LTE (“4G”) and Apple sides with them, AT&T better be getting nervous. Ultimately, both AT&T and Verizon will have the same LTE network, so Apple may just have to create a single iPhone to distribute on both networks. However, as far as customer satisfaction, AT&T doesn’t stand a chance at this point.
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